Requirements for Admission

Requirements for Admission

Minimum Requirements for Admission

While most students who matriculate to LUCOM will have a bachelor’s degree or higher, at a minimum, each applicant that matriculates must have completed no less than 75% of the credits needed for a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. Exception may be granted by the Dean.

Students must have obtained not less than a 3.0 GPA overall and 3.0 GPA in sciences to be considered for admission unless an exception for cause is granted by the Dean.

Applicants must have a cumulative score of at least 499 on the MCAT to be considered for admissions unless an exception for cause is granted by the Dean. Verified MCAT scores submitted in AACOMAS should be no more than three years old.

The minimum required undergraduate courses for matriculation are:

  • Biochemistry or Cellular Biology: one semester (3-5 semester hours/6-8 quarter hours). Two semesters of biochemistry or completion of both courses are highly recommended.
  • Biological Sciences: one year with laboratory (8-10 semester hours/12-15 quarter hours)
  • English: two courses (6-10 semester hours/8-15 quarter hours)
  • Inorganic Chemistry: one year with laboratory (8-10 semester hours/12-15 quarter hours)
  • Organic Chemistry: one year with laboratory (8-10 semester hours/12-15 quarter hours)
  • Physics: one semester with laboratory (4-5 semester hours/ 6-10 quarter hours), second semester is recommended
  • Four (4) additional science hours are required (Faculty recommend courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, or Genetics to enhance the student’s success in medical school)

Recommended courses to prepare for the osteopathic medical curriculum include additional humanities such as literature, philosophy or theology; communication skills such as speech, debate, or drama; additional science courses such as genetics, human anatomy and physiology with lab, immunology, epidemiology, etc.  A course in statistics is highly recommended.

The applicant should demonstrate a humanistic and service mentality consistent with that of LUCOM as demonstrated by action and involvement in outreach and service events. Preference is given to students from rural and underserved environments that are more likely to advance the mission and goals of the COM, especially those from the Central, Western and Southern regions of Virginia. Each applicant’s personal values should be compatible with the Christian mission and environment of Liberty University.

Applicants are required to meet the Technical Standards for admission, continued enrollment and must affirm that they meet the standards. Any falsification or misinformation regarding the ability to meet technical standards is reason for dismissal.

Applicants must submit all required paperwork per deadlines. If paperwork is not submitted as required, an offer of admission may be retracted.

Technical Standards

The requirements to succeed at LUCOM are those necessary to successfully complete the curriculum and to practice osteopathic medicine with full practice rights. Students must be able to function in a variety of learning and clinical settings and quickly, accurately, and consistently learn and process data.

LUCOM is committed to making accommodations for students whose qualified disabilities allow them to accomplish a successful career as an osteopathic physician. While reasonable accommodations do occur; the student, however, is required to function with independence and personally demonstrate all the skills described that LUCOM holds as mandatory for the safe and effective practice of osteopathic medicine. The use of a trained intermediary means that a candidate’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation and is not a permissible accommodation.

While LUCOM is committed to making the accommodations that make a student successful, LUCOM is also committed to patient safety and assuring a safe and effective environment that does not place patients, students, or others at risk. Each technical standard has been chosen from standards osteopathic physicians deem necessary for the safe and effective practice of osteopathic medicine. Applicants who do not meet the technical standards should not apply to LUCOM.

Students must consider these requirements at the time of application and must also consider whether or not they can meet these technical standards in the curriculum and in the practice of medicine. Once enrolled, students must maintain their ability to meet these technical standards and to make academic progress and succeed in the curriculum. LUCOM considers the ability to meet these standards essential for the entrance to, continuation in, and graduation from its degree program.

If an applicant has a question as to their ability to meet the minimal technical standards listed, the applicant is required to notify the Office of Admissions and Student Services in advance of applying so that reasonable testing may occur. Applicants must identify to the Office of Admissions and Student Services all areas where there is question in meeting these technical standards.

Observation and Visual Integration

Applicants and students must have sufficient visual capabilities to observe laboratory demonstrations, experiments, laboratory exercises, microscopic tissue with the aid of the microscope, and computer-based pictures used in laboratory demonstrations in the basic and clinical sciences. The student must be able to visually and accurately observe the physical signs associated with a patient in order to make a diagnosis and management. The use of a trained intermediary in such cases would compromise performance, as it would be mediated by another individual’s power of selection, observation, skill, and experience. Observation requires the functional use of vision and somatic sensations and is enhanced by the sense of smell and hearing.

They must be able to observe a patient accurately at varying distances with the ability to determine size and depth of an object in low light at 0.3 cm, and with the ability to discern non-verbal communication.

Communication

Applicants and students must be able to communicate effectively in English as the curriculum and clinical experiences are offered in English. Students are encouraged to learn other languages for medical communication; however, all curriculum and assessment is given in English. LUCOM requires the functional ability to speak, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit accurate medical information. The student must be able both to describe changes in mood, activity, posture, and other physical characteristics and to perceive nonverbal communication. The student must be able to communicate in English effectively and efficiently in verbal and in written form with the patient and with all members of the health care team in order to successfully complete the curriculum.

Motor Function

Applicants and students must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonable required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients by eliciting information from patients by palpation, percussion, and other diagnostic measures. The student must have sufficient motor function to carry out maneuvers of general and emergency care and osteopathic manipulation. Examples of emergent motor functions required of physicians include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous fluids and intravenous medications, management of an obstructed airway, hemorrhage control, closure by suturing of wounds, obstetrical deliveries and osteopathic manipulative medicine. In addition, the delivery of osteopathic manipulation requires the use of extremities in palpation, positioning, and carrying out maneuvers of manipulation. These actions require fine and gross muscular movements, equilibrium and sensory function, as well as the senses of touch and adequate vision for inspection.

Students must be able to perform these maneuvers. Students who have conditions that do not allow physically taxing workloads must consider the long hours of study, the hours required in the classroom and laboratories, the physical strength required in the osteopathic examination and treatment, and to stand and walk for long hours in the clinical setting.

Sensory Skills

Applicants and students of osteopathic medicine must possess an enhanced ability to use their sensory skills. Individuals with disabilities who have significant tactile sensory or proprioceptive disabilities may require a thorough evaluation to determine if they are otherwise qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation. Such individuals may include those with significant previous burns, sensory motor deficits, cicatrix formation and malformations of the upper extremities.

Strength and Mobility

Medical treatments, such as osteopathic manipulative medicine and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, often require upright posture with sufficient upper and lower extremity and overall body strength and mobility. Individuals with disabilities who have significant limitations in these areas may require evaluation to determine if they are otherwise qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Qualitative Abilities

Applicants and students must have the ability to concentrate, reason, calculate, analyze and interpret data, measure, synthesize information, and make decisions within areas in which there is a reasonable amount of visual and auditory distraction. They must perform these functions under a time limitation and do so under a reasonable amount of stress as physicians are expected to be able to perform such duties in diverse clinical settings where others may be present and where there is a certain degree of noise. Students must be able to accurately write prescriptions, accurately preform basic mathematical functions, and accurately and quickly read charts with minimal error in areas where there may be distractions. The student must be able to comprehend, memorize, synthesize, and recall a large amount of information without assistance to successfully complete the curriculum. The student must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand spatial relationships to succeed in school and to administer medical care. The student must be able to gain knowledge through all types of learning materials that the LUCOM curriculum offers and must be able to perform pattern identification, memorization, recall information, and to identify and discriminate important information, to problem solve, and to calculate and make decisions in timed situations and in the presence of noise and distraction.

The above intellectual abilities are necessary, as students and graduates will be expected and required to perform pattern identification, immediate recall of memorized material, identification and discrimination to elicit important information, problem solving, and decision-making as to emergent diagnosis and treatment of patients. Students must be able to recall important information for diagnosis and to calculate therapeutic management of emergent conditions. This type of demonstrated intellectual ability must be performed in a rapid and time-efficient manner in order to avoid placing patients in emergent conditions at risk. It is common for emergent situations to occur in the presence of visually distracting and noisy environments. Such emergent situations include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary compromise, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, obstetrical and neonatal emergencies, trauma presentations, poisonings and toxic exposures, shock, and hemorrhage.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Applicants and students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and  care  of  patients  and  the  development  of  mature,  sensitive  and  effective professional relationships with patients.  Students must be able to function effectively under the high degree of stress and testing required in medical school and in COMLEX national board testing. Students who suffer from serious mood disorders and/or test anxiety should strongly consider if they will meet this technical standard, as it is essential to the success of a physician in being able to practice. Students must possess ability to identify behaviors and attributes in themselves and others, as well as to self-regulate their own behaviors and attitudes, to ensure professional practice and delivery of care.

Applicants and students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes. The emotional health required for effective communication and for professional, mature, sensitive, and compassionate patient/physician or patient/student relationships must be present. Students must have the emotional health to be able to function without the aid of medications that are known to affect intellectual abilities and judgment. The student must have the emotional stability and motivation to deliver patient care and to make emergent decisions at all times. The ability to adapt to changing environments and stressful situations and to display compassion and integrity, while maintaining the necessary intellectual capacity to care for patients is one that is observed during the interview process and throughout the progress in medical school. An ability to demonstrate the emotional health necessary for the delivery of quality and safe medical care is mandatory throughout medical school. LUCOM considers addiction or  the  participation  in  substance  abuse  as  a  risk  for  unsafe  medical care.

Participation in OMM and Clinical Medicine Laboratory Encounters1

Osteopathic physicians utilize touching as part of the osteopathic approach to treatment. As part of the educational process, LUCOM students must be able to tolerate being touched and to touch others of both sexes in order to acquire the skills necessary for palpation and examination. This palpation is performed in a professional and appropriate manner. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary defines “palpation” as examination with the hands and fingers, touching, feeling or perceiving by the sense of touch.

Acquiring the skills to palpate and examine patients requires a student to examine partially or completely disrobed patients of both genders and is mandatory for successful completion of the curriculum at LUCOM. In physical diagnosis and osteopathic manipulative medicine laboratory experiences, as well as other clinical laboratories where skills are acquired, students are required to participate in the examination of fellow students of both genders who may be partially disrobed. Students will need to wear attire such as shorts and to partially disrobe for certain laboratory experiences. These are requirements for all students, regardless of cultural beliefs, in order for the student to acquire the skills necessary to practice medicine.

The development of palpatory skills and ability to perform osteopathic treatments are initiated in the first- and second-year labs. This learning requires active participation in all laboratory sessions where students palpate and will experience palpation by their peers and instructors of both genders to enhance the development of their own palpatory skills. Each student will palpate a variety of people with different body types to simulate the diversity of patients expected in a practice setting.

The osteopathic medical profession uses a variety of treatment models through which the student will learn the art, science and skills of osteopathic manipulative treatment. Psychomotor skills are developed by repetition and reinforcement. Reading and observation, while helpful in understanding the didactic concepts, do not develop the skills required to perform palpatory diagnosis and manipulative treatment. Each student is required to actively participate in all skill development sessions.

Ability in Standardized Test Taking

In addition, LUCOM’s accreditor, the COCA, requires students to pass COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2 exams prior to graduation; therefore, students must be able to perform satisfactorily on timed, computerized and clinical performance comprehensive standardized exams. Accommodations granted by LUCOM may not necessarily be granted by the NBOME. NBOME determines the student’s ability to receive accommodations (or not) for this exam and therefore the student’s ability to pass the board exams with the accommodation level awarded by NBOME is the technical standard. Students may ask for accommodations by the NBOME; however, these are not guaranteed.

Disabilities and Accommodations

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) complies with all applicable laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

LUCOM applicants must self-identify if they do not meet technical standards. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the process for accommodations two months before the start of an academic year. If granted, the accommodation is given only for the academic year in which it is requested. Subsequent applications must follow for each academic year the student is requesting accommodations. LUCOM assures that no adverse view of the application will be made if accommodations are requested.

LUCOM will provide reasonable accommodations to osteopathic medical students with documented disabilities. Accepted applicants and students must submit their request to the Office of Medical Education, in a sealed envelope or electronically, to LUCOMMedEd@liberty.edu. Verbal disclosure prior to or following admission is not sufficient means to request accommodations. Any request for accommodations must be submitted in writing with supporting documentation from a physician (M.D. or D.O.) or other medical professional with appropriate peer-recognized expertise or certification in the area of claimed disability, and will then be forwarded to the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Chair for committee process. LUCOM will then engage in an interactive process with the applicant or student to evaluate the medical documentation and requested accommodation. LUCOM will seek to work with the applicant or student to find an individually-tailored and reasonable accommodation that addresses the disability-related needs.

All requests are not retroactive, and accommodations granted do not affect grades or actions taken prior to notification to LUCOM of the student’s disability or the request for accommodations begin granted by LUCOM. Reasonable accommodations provided to students must not pose an undue hardship on LUCOM, result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the academic program, academic requirements or professional activity, or result in an undue financial or administrative burden on LUCOM.

The Office of Medical Education and the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Committee recognizes that individuals with temporarily disabling conditions that are a result of injuries, surgery or short-term medical conditions may need access to services and resources similar to individuals with permanent disabilities. Examples of temporary disabilities may include, but are not limited to: broken limbs, hand injuries, or short-term impairments following surgery or medical treatments. The LUCOM Office of Medical Education can offer guidance and instruction for students to receive accommodations for a temporary disability.

Decision appeals are directed to the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Students who fail in the curriculum or who are suspended or dismissed may not claim failure due to disability if they have not previously identified the disability and requested reasonable accommodations in advance of the curricular failure.

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6.12 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Curriculum

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9.1 Admissions Policy

AACOMAS Application Process

LUCOM participates with other osteopathic colleges in a centralized application processing service called the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). An application may be submitted online by visiting the AACOMAS website.  Students should contact AACOMAS directly for questions about the application:

AACOMAS
aacomasinfo@liaisoncas.com (617) 612-2889

To initiate the application process, applicants must apply directly to AACOMAS.

Applicants who have taken course work and/or have earned a degree from a foreign institution must also submit to AACOMAS a World Education Service (WES) evaluation of their transcripts.

Applications Deadline

LUCOM has received Accreditation from COCA and applications are being accepted for admission. Applications will be accepted annually beginning in June of each year.

The official AACOMAS application is available online. The deadline for LUCOM applicants is March 1st but is subject to change annually. LUCOM reserves the right to alter dates based on factors such as class capacity and seat availability. The last day for applicants to submit their application and supporting materials is March 15th unless otherwise approved by the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Life.

Applications should be submitted prior to the end of December to have an optimal chance of gaining admission for the next academic year.

Secondary Application Process

The primary and secondary applications have been combined to streamline the application process. The application is returned electronically along with the payment of a non-refundable application fee of $50 and submission of three required letters of recommendation:

Three evaluation forms and/or letters of recommendation not written by a relative (by blood or through marriage) are required to complete the application for admission:

  1. Evaluation from a board-certified physician, either DO or MD; submission on letterhead is preferred
  2. Evaluation from a premedical advisory committee or science faculty member familiar with the academic work of the applicant; submission on letterhead is preferred
  3. Evaluation or recommendation from someone acquainted with the student’s academic or professional ability (employer pastor, mission/medical outreach coordinator, an osteopathic or allopathic physician, etc.)

All letters of recommendation must be originals, signed by the evaluator and submitted electronically through AACOMAS.

Candidates will be required to acknowledge by initial their ability and willingness to comply with the college’s technical standards, policies on attendance, dress code, requirements for participation in osteopathic teaching and education, LUCOM student professional and academic conduct and policies, and the University code of behavioral conduct.

Interview Selection Process

To be considered for an interview, an applicant must meet all the preceding admissions requirements and Technical Standards for admission, have a complete file, including the AACOMAS application, recommendation letters, and the admissions processing fee.

After the Office of Admissions receives these materials, the applicant’s file is reviewed to determine eligibility for an interview, based on the established criteria of the Admissions Committee. If it is found to meet the standards and mission of the COM, an invitation may be extended to interview.  An interview is not a guarantee of admission to the college.

Interviewing candidates are required to read and initial an acknowledgement that they:

  • Meet the technical standards for admission (any questions pertaining to whether a standard is met must be addressed with the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Life or Dean’s designee);
  • Have read and comply with the statement for students of LUCOM regarding physical exposure in classroom activities;
  • Have read and comply with LUCOM’s attendance and dress code policy; and
  • Have read and comply with LUCOM’s code of student conduct/academic responsibility and code of behavioral conduct.

Each applicant who interviews with LUCOM will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee An admissions decision, based on academic performance, professional experience, and interview, will be provided to the applicant usually within 30 days of the interview date.

Intentional misrepresentation or omission of information on any form relevant to admissions or records will subject the student to retraction of admission offer or dismissal. LUCOM reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for any reason it deems sufficient. Matriculation will be denied to applicants who have failed to maintain a good record of scholastic performance and/or good record of personal conduct between the time of their acceptance and their matriculation at LUCOM.

At the conclusion of the interviews, the interviewers forward their recommendation to the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee may make any of the following recommendations to the Dean: to accept, to deny, or to place the applicant on an alternate or wait list.

All offers of admission are conditional until such time as the applicant has undergone a criminal background check, drug screen, and physical examination to ensure they meet the technical standards established by the COM, meet the physical, immunization and immunization titers requirements as verified by the COM. Those accepted during the fall must complete these checklist items by March 1 of the following year while those accepted in the spring must complete these items by May 1.

Matriculation Process1

Accepted applicants must fulfill the conditions set forth in the matriculation agreement and are based upon the date of acceptance including:

  1. Confirmation deposit ($2,000)
  2. Background Check
  3. Drug Screen
  4. Student Health and Physical Report
  5. Immunizations and Titers
  6. Student Authorization to Release information to Clinical Agencies
  7. Proof of Insurance
  8. Completion of the Orientation Module and attendance at Orientation and its related sessions and activities. Failure to attend could result in dismissal.
  9. Financial Check-in
  10. Applicants must submit official final transcript from colleges/universities attended, which were not previously submitted and verified through AACOMAS. In the event of course work, completed at foreign institutions, the applicant must submit official detailed course by course evaluations completed by an approved agency. These agencies include:
  11. Any other requirements set forth in the matriculation agreement.
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9.2 Academic Standards

Request for Admission Deferment

Accepted applicants may request a one-year deferment for compelling reasons. Requests are to be submitted in writing to the Office of Admissions. The $2,000 seat deposit will be applied to the tuition the following year. Applicants who are approved for deferment will be subject to the curriculum, degree completion plan, policies and procedures established in the college’s handbooks, catalog, and other policy statements for the academic year in which the applicant matriculates.

Transfer Applicants1

LUCOM accepts transfer applicants in rare circumstances only from students who are transferring from a LCME or COCA accredited college of medicine. Transfer students must acquire OMM/OPP competency prior to graduation.  Transfers must be passing all subjects at the time of transfer and be in good standing with their current college of medicine. Transfer applicants must be eligible for continuing or for readmission at their current college of medicine. Transfer applicants who have been out of school for more than a year are considered to be ineligible for transfer to LUCOM unless otherwise specified by the Dean.

Transfer applicants who meet these qualifications must submit the following documentation to the LUCOM Office of the Registrar.

  • A letter of request and reason for transfer
  • A letter of recommendation from the Dean, Vice Dean, or Senior Associate Dean(s) of the presently/previously attended college of medicine
  • A copy of the applicant’s D.O. /M.D. level transcript (may be unofficial or official)
  • A copy of the school’s catalog with course descriptions

The student must provide a written statement outlining reasons for the request for transfer to the Dean, and must be eligible for continuing or readmission at the current college of medicine. They must have a letter of recommendation from the Dean, Vice Dean or Senior Associate Deans of the prior college attended. Decisions regarding transfer are made by the Dean and will be based on factors including academic record, circumstances leading to the transfer request, available space, and admission standards.

All students must complete at a minimum the last two years of training at LUCOM, successfully fulfill all requirements of the LUCOM curriculum, including demonstration of competency in the philosophy and application of osteopathic principles and practice, and receive the recommendation of the faculty through the Student Progress Committee for graduation.

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine transcripts will reflect the cumulative credit hours transferred from the previous medical school. Information regarding grades or class rank from the previous school will not be reflected on the LUCOM transcript. Students who transfer into Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine will not receive a class rank.

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9.3 Transfer Policies

Advanced Standing

Applicants who are interested in transferring but are not eligible based on one or more of the listed qualifications will need to apply for admission through the LUCOM Office of Admissions. If accepted, the applicant may be eligible to apply for advanced standing. Students may be considered for advanced standing if course and curriculum requirements are met, the student obtained a passing grade in the course consistent with LUCOM policy, and the courses submitted meet all of the academic requirements of the LUCOM courses it is to replace.

International Student Applicants

Applicants who will require F-1 Visa should contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services for requirements at the time of application.

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9.1 Admissions Policy

History

The LUMED 3+1 program was approved by Liberty University leadership during the 2021 – 2022 academic year to encourage pipeline development between LU Sciences and LUCOM.  Successful matriculants can begin medical school at LUCOM one year early, waive the MCAT requirement, and satisfy the final year of their LU B.S. degree with year one of the LUCOM curriculum.

Process

Qualified applicants must:

  • Be enrolled as a full-time student in the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences program at Liberty University
  • Complete prerequisite sciences on the LU residential campus
  • Have no record of withdrawals from any prerequisite courses
  • Earn and maintain a minimum 3.7 science GPA
  • Complete an interview with the LU MED program subcommittee

Additional information

For more information, please contact LUCOM Admissions
lucomadmissions@liberty.edu
(434) 592-7444

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9.1 Admissions Policy

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